Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski’s strikes helped Barcelona move eight points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Real Betis on Wednesday.
Dembele’s superb form had limited the Brazilian’s minutes since his move from Leeds United last summer.
Raphinha put Barcelona ahead in the 65th minute and Lewandowski, back after a three-match league ban, netted the second with 10 minutes to go.
Jules Kounde scored an unfortunate own goal to give Betis a fighting chance of a point in the final stages but Barcelona held out for the win.
“I think we had a good game, our play was very good, excellent I would say,” Barca coach Xavi Hernandez told Movistar.
“We played a great game at a very difficult place to come. I’m very happy not just for the result but for how we played, we’ve improved a lot from the Girona game.”
Barcelona had won their previous three league games 1-0, including against Catalan rivals Girona last weekend in a flat performance, but were operating on a higher level in Seville.
Betis started well in front of their boisterous support, with Alejandro Balde doing well to block Luiz Henrique’s effort in the opening exchanges.
At the other end Lewandowski headed wide, while Pedri could not find a finish when racing through on goal.
Raphinha had a goal ruled out for a clear offside and Kounde flung himself in the way of Sergio Canales’s strike.
Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva denied Pedri either side of half-time as the Spain international tried to continue his own goalscoring form after netting the winner in Girona.
